SAA gives class of 2005 final send-off with Senior Salute

The IU graduating class of 2005 has nearly made it. Soon-to-be grads have less than two weeks to turn in final papers and projects and study for exams before they don their caps and gowns and make that momentous march into the real world. \nTonight, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the DeVault Alumni Center, 1000 E. 17th St., seniors have the opportunity to take a break from all the stress, anxiety and thoughts of future careers by allowing the IU Alumni Association and Student Alumni Association send them off with the Senior Salute.\n"It's like a big graduation party for the seniors," said IU Student Alumni Association Vice President Jason Russ. "The Alumni Association wants to congratulate the seniors."\nThis is the ninth year the IUAA and SAA will sponsor the Senior Salute for graduating seniors. \nStudents can enjoy free food from Kilroy's and Papa John's, including pizza, breadsticks and chicken wings, and dessert from the Indiana Memorial Union. There will also be live music from Dave and Rae, a multi-genre cover band. Seniors should bring their student IDs for admittance.\nThe different schools, such as the Kelley School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences, will hand out alumni information and free prizes to their graduating seniors. \nThe SAA will give away IU license plate covers to seniors attending the event. Seniors can also register to win door prizes, such as a class ring, autographed IU sports memorabilia and a lifetime membership to the IUAA.\n"Basically it's an effort by the SAA to introduce graduating seniors to the IU Alumni Association," said SAA President Kirk Walda. "This way they can remain connected to Indiana University even after they graduate. We want to establish that connection and give them a place to call home."\nLast year, nearly a thousand seniors attended the event, Russ said. They're hoping for even bigger numbers this year.\n"If it rains, we usually expect the numbers to drop," said Sondra Inman, director of student programs for the IUAA. "There is a forecast for an 80 percent chance of rain, but it's a really fun event with a lot of great music and free food, rain or shine."\nThe activities sponsored by the IUAA and SAA begin at 3:30 p.m. with the Senior Tree Dedication. They will be dedicating a red maple tree to the graduating class of 2005.\n"This tradition has a very rich history," said Inman. "The first senior tree dedication took place in 1873. Since the alumni association moved, they've had the tree dedication here."\nRuss stressed that the Senior Salute is more than just tradition and ceremony.\n"It's just a good time," said Russ. "You can come out, hang out with your friends, have fun and celebrate your graduation."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Megan Hubartt at mhubartt@indiana.edu.